SCHEDULED TRIPS

DECEMBER TRIP 2

Note: Departure from Siem Reap or Laos also possible for an extra fee.

Depart: December 7 - 8:00 a.m.Return: December 11 - 6:30 p.m.

Explore the Mekong River by kayak, boat, bicycle and hiking, including pristine old growth forests, mountain views over the river, waterfalls, flooded forests and rare freshwater dolphins. Hike in a remote forested region of the Mekong, explore the mighty Mekong Falls, camp on a scenic island, Kayak the amazing flooded forests of the Mekong Wetlands and see the rare Mekong Freshwater Dolphins up close. End the trip by cycling through the Silk Islands and then enjoy a dinner cruise boat trip the rest of the way to Phnom Penh.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Phnom Penh by private car directly to Stung Treng (stopping for lunch in Kratie). In the afternoon, we will kayak across the Sekong River and visit an ethnic Lao village where bamboo sticky rice is made. Afterwards, we will kayak down the Sekong, enjoying a superb view of sunset over the rivers. Overnight at an excellent riverside hotel.

Day 2 Travel north by car and then by boat to a remote site on the Mekong where we will disembark and begin hiking through thick jungle to a wide rocky expanse where the Mekong drops in a spectacular waterfall over a rocky ledge. After listening to the roar of the powerful river and exploring the numerous drops, we will have lunch and then begin trekking through pristine old growth forests as we ascend a mountain with a great view over the river valley. After the hike, we will board a boat and continue to a small island where we will set up camp on a sandy beach and enjoy dinner around a campfire.

Day 3 Awake to the sounds of birds and rare freshwater dolphins surfacing around the island. Begin a full-day kayaking trip down river through remote flooded forests of Cambodia's amazing Ramsar Wetlands. A boat will provide backup. Many varieties of birds live in these forests. Picnic lunch en route provided. Overnight in Stung Treng.

Day 4 Depart Stung Treng by mountain bike along a scenic river route, passing through quiet villages and watching local river life and fishing. After 25 km, board kayaks for a 2-3 hour paddle on the Mekong in an area of numerous sandy islands and rare Mekong River Dolphins. End the kayaking at a deep dolphin pool where we will have a picnic lunch. After lunch, transfer by car to Kratie. Cycling: 25 km.

Day 5 Transfer by car to the Mekong River near the Silk Islands and board a ferry boat to cross to the Silk Islands. Enjoy a picnic and swim at a sandy beach on the tip of the northern-most island and make numerous excursions on the islands including visits to an island pagoda, local silk weaving communities, farms, villages and schools as we cycle across two islands. From the quiet east bank of the Mekong, we will board a two-deck cruise boat for a comfortable journey to Phnom Penh, enjoying great views of river life, fishing practices, a floating village, the four rivers region and the city. Watch the sunset over the river while enjoying a BBQ dinner and drinks on board before arriving at Phnom Penh. Cycling: 20 km.